Christmas Wrap-Up

We were, as always, so blessed this Christmas.  First and foremost, we were blessed by the birth of Jesus, without whom none of all this stuff would matter in the least.  We really tried to focus our kids on the real meaning of Christmas, which is so hard when they are so young and Santa is so much on their minds.  But I kept on iterating that the real reason for the parties, decorations, yummy food, etc. is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  I think that some of it sunk in  . . . at least I hope.

But here are some pictures of the not-so-concentrating-on-Jesus moments:

Christmas Eve at Cher Cher and Papa's.  Sam was OBSESSED with singing Santa and would not cooperate for a picture.  Ann Park was thrilled too.

Gazing lovingly at singing Santa

Ward and Daddy

I think that this is my favorite picture of Christmas, even though Ann Park has a fake smile!

Let me go Mama!!

Oh yeah, more singing things!

Ann Park got matching clothes and pajamas with her doll, Bitty Baby!

Such a happy girl!

Light sabers!!

Ann Park's loot from Santa

Ward's loot from Santa

And Sam's too!

Oh yeah, and I can't forget the air hockey table!

Ann Park discovering what Santa brought . . . another doll!  And she talks!

Ward with his snake and bow and arrow - his two favorite presents!

Hands up mommy!

Oh yeah baby!  (That is a knife made out of a deer bone and arrow head - yes, it is real and I am crazy)

Cowboy shirt from Dollywood care of Aunt Kit and Uncle Ryan.  All three got one.  Ward would not take his off and wore it on Sunday and Monday!

Ann Park opening a special present from mommy . . . 

What is it?

My first real necklace - silver with an "A" pendant!

Sam joins in the fun!

a guitar!

so much to look at!

Look at this!  My very own scooter!

two musicians

hard at work . . . the noise was unbearable at times, but they were having so much fun!

And just when we thought things couldn't get any better on Christmas, we were wrong.  It started SNOWING.  Snow in Alabama on Christmas?  The last time we had that was in 1909.  At first it seemed like it wasn't going to stick at all (which was very disappointing for the kids), but just enough stuck, a good Southern "dusting" and the kids had a great time.  We couldn't get Sam to come inside!

Sam was all smiles at Uncle Bill's house!

Here comes Ward to join the fun bow and arrow in hand!

Love me some CapriSun!

Nice pose Ward!

"no" (a.k.a. "snow")

"Ho! Ho! Ho!"

Catching snow on his tounge!

later that afternoon Ann Park joined in the fun (but wouldn't smile for the camera - typical)

Sas is really happy here, huh?

Merry Merry!  Although we had a great time, I was exhausted . . . and to be honest, glad to have it behind me.  I am really looking forward to a relaxed weekend and New Years at Grey Rocks with mom & dad, plus the deLaureals.  We will miss the McCaffreys though!

Jewelry-lovin girls

What girl doesn't love herself some jewels?  I used to think that the answer to this question was my sister, Kit, but I would be wrong.  Over Thanksgiving even she was sporting some pretty looking necklaces (way to go Kit!).  I mean, accessories make an outfit.  Oh and shoes too, but that is a whole other topic.

One of my best friends in the world is this amazing wedding planner in Charleston.  She has this fantastic blog that I like to stop by every now and then (no, I am not stalking her, but I like to see what creative things she is up to).  This afternoon, while very bored at work, I went a-browsin' on over.  And she had this post on the coolest cuffs designed by Courtney Prince MillerI have seen in a while.  I guess that they are technically for brides, but what girl wouldn't want to wear these any day of the week?  I see them jazzing up a boring ole black dress or with a white t-shirt and jeans.  Gimme some of these PLEASE! (As an aside, I think that besides getting them through http://www.etsy.com/, Anthropologie also sells a limited collection.)

The pressure is on!

So as most of you know, I am not a great cook.  I am a good cook and can follow a recipe.  But I get intimidated easily (especially with some of the more fancy tools, words that I don't understand and ingredients that I have never heard of) and, to be honest, I just don't have the time to sit around and make a big meal for kids that won't eat it and a husband that really won't appreciate all the time and effort that went into preparing it.  Don't get me wrong, Ted will appreciate the meal  - he appreciates every meal.  He just might not understand that it took longer and involved way more ingredients, chopping, sweating, reading, etc. to make than say, spaghetti.  So I don't cook fancy stuff (or anything requiring more than say 5 ingredients) all that much.

But as I have said here before, I am kinda obsessed with The Pioneer Woman.  Well, not kinda, REALLY obsessed.  In that I am blog-stalking her.  I read her posts every day and sometimes go back for more (on the same day).  I am definitely going to get her book when it comes out on February 1, 2011 and if someone reading this doesn't know what to get me for Christmas, you can get me her cookbook.

So that brings me back to cooking.  The guy that I refer to as Ted's boss (he is really not his boss since Ted is a partner and really doesn't do much work with him at all any more . . . now that I think about it he doesn't do ANY work with him anymore . . . but he was a major influence at one point and is really Ted's mentor).  Well anyway, he used to have Ted and me and two other work couples over to his house for a fancy Christmas dinner.  I am talking fine china, silver, nice wine, the works. And his wife is a great cook.  And she is beautiful and graceful.  Hate her (kidding of course!) This year he decided not to do it for a variety of reasons (mainly that there are some people he works with a lot now who have not been invited in the past and feelings would definitely get hurt if they knew) so Ted and I decided to step in and host with the same small group.  Which means that I will be cooking.

So where did I turn but to none other than The Pioneer Woman!  And she did not fail.  She posted this fabulously easy (I hope!) recipe for Filet au Poivre which sounds really fancy (and looks it too) but is also pretty easy to make.  Yes, I will have to cook while everyone is there because it is one of those make the sauce and pour it directly on the steak type of deals, but my kitchen is open and it will be fine.  I can't wait.  Now I have to decide on the sides as well as appetizers and dessert.  The pressure is on!

Ward's Advent Program

On Friday morning, we had Ward's Advent program at school.  It was a great reminder of the Advent season, while we are all waiting on the arrival of Jesus.  The program went through much of the old testament through word and song.  The kindergarten sang about Jonah.  It was really so precious.  I hope that you enjoy!

Some Christmas cheer

in photos!  Thought that I would post a couple of pictures of the kids from Santa at the MBC (although none of them would get close to Santa and Ann Park would not even go in the room where he was sitting!) and some others.  They are so in the spirit that it makes my heart sing!

Ward by the tree at MBC.  Notice the candycane pants.  Ted already has him dressing like he does!

Ann Park pouting becuase she didn't want to see Santa!

Now there's a smile! (albeit fake)

Cher Cher and her other Sam

Papa and Ward

Where's mama?  Oh, taking the picture.  I am never in pictures!

My big boy

I still can't believe that Ward is six today.  Six years old.  It seems just like yesterday that I was laying in the bed at St. Vincent's Hospital (and had been there for over a week), waiting on Dr. Christine to get home from adopting her child in Russia to see what she was going to do with me.  For those who don't remember, I had extremely high blood pressure with all three kids, but it caught everyone by surprise with my pregnancy with Ward!  So five weeks before his due date, God blessed us with the most precious baby I had ever seen.  I was so scared and could not believe that such a miracle had been created inside of me.  He was so tiny and precious and perfect and he was part me, part Ted.  4 pounds, 12 ounces of pure perfection.

A little while after birth - before he went to the NICU for about 3 weeks

Before I knew it, we were having his first birthday party!  Of course the first party is always more of a party for the parents than the kids, but we all had fun.  (Sam really resembles Ward, huh!)

And then onto his second birthday - a cookie decorating party.  He especially loved that one.  Amazing how much they grow up between ages 1 and 2.

When he turned three, I could see him outgrowing the toddler baby fat (not that he ever had any fat!) and gorwing into a little boy.  We had this party at the zoo, one of his all-time favorite places to play.

For this 4th birthday, we had his party a little early - over Thankgiving.  All the Holts were down at Grey Rocks for Thanksgiving and Ward and his first cousin, John Benton, had a party down on the farm!  I will never forget the cold rain of that day, but the kids had the best time, complete with a scavenger hunt!

When he turned 5, we had a party at Mountain Brook Gymnastics.  All the kids ran around and had the best time ever.  I think that everyone took a nap after that party!

And now, he is 6.  At some moments, I see someone much older.  I look at him in some ways and I can see the man he will become.  God has given me such a great opportunity to make that man someone incredible.  And I am trying.  Thanks to all those who are helping!

I love you Ward!  You will always be my first baby and I will always have a special place in my heart just for you.

Best Christmas Movie EVER

Just to really get you in the spirit of Christmas . . .